A Happiness Coefficient?

View article: Happy? Statisticians Aren’t Buying It

Recently in countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States, a movement to measure a country’s “national mood” has begun.  Although these countries are using different methods to reach this objective, their ultimate goal remains the same: to attain some objective measurement of its population’s happiness in order to better determine how to direct policy decisions.  Many see this movement as another example of scientific empiricism breaking into public policy decisions, which is a welcome addition to the process for those who appreciate pragmatic decision-making.

Despite the optimism many have about the possibilities of this measurement’s influence on policy, however, the article’s author argues that “statisticians’ efforts to measure happiness are ridden with uncertainty.”  One particular issue is the fact that “people tend to describe themselves as happy even when they express many specific complaints and doubts about their lives or their government.”  Also, some economists argue that happiness can better be assessed by metrics “such as income, health and living conditions,” as a broad happiness statistic is unlikely to give policymakers a comprehensive picture of their nation’s citizens.

Another potential complication in establishing a happiness metric include the possibility that a given country’s metric may not be comparable to another’s.  This concern arises from data we currently have, such as the facts that countries in Latin America “routinely score higher than would be expected” and “Asian countries score lower” that would be predicted by looking at a country’s per capita income.

In addition, when asked about their general happiness, people rarely state that they are unhappy.  As evidence, every year the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System telephone survey reports that “at least 92% of respondents have said they are satisfied or very satisfied” with their lives.  In comparison, when pollsters such as Gallup ass specific questions about enjoyment, stress and worry, “a more complicated picture” of a population’s happiness emerges.

Regardless of these problems, it is admirable for national leaders to consider these possible metrics.  In most situations, it is a good thing for a country’s government to heed feedback from their populace.  While the development of a single metric may not be possible, considerations of national happiness and well-being should be present whenever political decision-making takes place.

– Jeff Jay